Five piece band Gustaffson are recording their new E.P with Elbow at Blue Print studios in Manchester, you can catch them at Night and Day Cafe on the 19th of January next year.
Liverpool born singer & songwriter Andrew Gower formed Gustaffson in 2020 with lifelong friend & guitarist James Webster (‘Webbo’.)
He’s been writing music since the age of fifteen, however, Gower is best known for his work as an actor in TV, Film and Theatre. Starring in hit shows such as Black Mirror, Outlander, and Carnival Row.
It was on a film set where he first met Elbow musician & producer Craig Potter. Then Gustaffson went on to record their debut EP with Potter at the iconic Blue Print Studios in Manchester alongside new band members David Gleave (bass) and Graham Bennett (drums).
“I met Andy on the set of a film called Running Naked that I was doing the soundtrack for.
Craig Potter – Elbow.
A few months later he contacted me for production advice on the songs he and James had written.
When I heard his lyrics, voice and how effortless the songs felt, I rang him back immediately and told him I wanted to be involved. We recorded the Jacaranda EP at Blueprint Studios and I enjoyed every minute of it so working on the rest of the album when the opportunity came up was a no-brainer.
Lyrically Andy has such a great turn of phrase and every song tells a story which is really refreshing these days. It’s a pleasure to be a part of his debut.”
What made you think you needed an extra addition to the band ? (Liam Morson)
It was always the plan to turn Gustaffson into a five piece. We’d spent a bit of time working on tracks always with keys in mind. It’s a been writing dream of mine, to have guitar led tracks and then tracks led by piano. It really helps having the two instruments in mind/to play with when composing. Liam was recommended by a fellow Manchester musician, which can always go one of two ways – but we couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome.
Which came first acting or music?
Chicken and the egg. In life music came first, I guess it was my first introduction to art growing up in my house. In Liverpool it was musicals, school bands and of course The Beatles. In terms of a real artistic endeavours it was auditioning and getting into drama school at 17 years old, that was the important landmark that came first -but Music has always stuck around, whilst I’ve been working for the past 13 years in the acting industry.
Lot’s of Songwriting and a few musical projects like BBC’s BAFTA nominated show ‘Frankensteins Wedding’. It was in 2020 when I was in Prague filming Carnival Row (during COVID) that we decided to form Gustaffson as a home for my songwriting.
The beauty is they have always complimented each other.
At the heart of it all is the ability to story tell. I even met Craig Potter our Producer for the album on a film set. Our first music video for ‘The Jacaranda’ was directed by Emmy Nominated Barney Douglas (McEnroe) and starred legendary actress Sue Johnston OBE. It was such an incredible opportunity for Gustaffson to present an original narrative/story alongside our music.
Check out ‘The Jacaranda’ official music video below.
How did you feel approaching Elbow about the production of your latest album?
Approaching Elbow’s Craig Potter to produce our album felt very fitting. Having worked with Craig on our debut EP and been thrilled with the outcome … we’d always said we wanted to record the album with him. It feels very natural for us to be making this album. After the EP in 2022, releasing a host of venue specific live singles in 2023 and headlining some of our favourite U.K. venues, we are definitely ready to be back in the studio.
Why do you make music?
I make music to tell stories.
For artistic agency.
I guess at its essence it is to present big ideas and thoughts in an extraordinary way.
Which can sometimes be the simplest way. We stay well away from any algorithms or making music to imitate.
Check out Flowers live at St Oswald’s Church below.
Where does your inspiration come from, is it different with each album or song?
Inspiration quite literally comes from everywhere: A bass riff, a piece of art, a newspaper headline, a feeling … there’s not one way to be inspired.
How do you come up with ideas to make your songs?
Songs can music led or lyric led (or both). They can be driven by a specific instrument or can start with a lyric/tune in my head. It’s often an amalgamation of both. A lot of these songs are lyric lead. One thing I have never stopped doing is writing lyrics.
What made you chose Night and Day for your headline show?
Night and Day has been a venue the band have always wanted to play. In my opinion it’s the heart of Oldham street. An intimate venue with a great history and energy to the building.
What’s the story in terms of Manchester?
Our story as far as Manchester goes … we recorded our four track EP ‘The Jacaranda’ in Manchester. Two of our band members (Dave & Liam) live in Chorlton. It’s the city we rehearse in and were we love to gig. Manchester as a city plays a huge role in all our song writing.
Our track Northern Baby is somewhat of a love letter to the city. Oh and of course we will record our debut album at the iconic Blueprint Studios in Manchester.
Here’s Northern Baby live at Blueprint Studios below.
What are the bands plans?
The plan for the band – is to record the album and then hopefully take the album out on tour. To support a few of our favourite bands and continue our on going collaborations with artists we love. We are very excited to be working with the likes of Grammy award-winning composer Bear McCreary, who will also feature on our album (on the track ‘Flowers’).
What is your end goal , do you make music because you enjoy it or do you make music because you want your audience to feel something?
We are still an unsigned band without a manager – so we’d like to find the right representation going forward. I think it would be very silly to have an end goal for Gustaffson. You’d end up with some major top of the mountain blues if you did.
We always make music for the audience. If you stop making music for the audience and just for your own enjoyment … you’re at major risk of indulgence. I think.
Do you feel you know the band better now?
Be sure to check them out at Night and Day Cafe on the 19th of January or listen to their E.P The Jacaranda!
Whilst you’re still here have a watch of Champagne Socialist live at The Liverpool Empire Theatre below.
Gustaffson website : www.gustaffson.co.uk
Musik Magazine 2023
